DU Veterans and all Patriots! Check-in for Veterans Day

[maxrandb]

I did this a couple of years ago and it was well received. Defending and fighting for your country have always been honorable traditions of true Democrats, Liberals and Progressives.

I'm a LCDR Navy "Mustang" Officer. Started as an e-nothing 27 years ago, promoted to Chief Petty Officer and then earned a commission. I've deployed all over the world, and I am a proud "bleeding-heart-liberal".

I get so sick of the Wingnuts who worship the military...right up until the time to sign on the dotted line occurs. They say that our country should be proud of our military service, but I say; "Give us a country that the military will be proud to serve".

Happy Veterans Day DU! Keep your powder dry!

[Siwsan]

1. Greetings to a fellow Navy Veteran

I did five years in the Medical/Dental corps. Stationed in Iceland, Philadelphia and San Diego, as an A school instructor. I am also a very proud liberal who has shamelessly pulled the Veteran card when confronted by chicken hawks during peace demonstrations. Since I am a female, they rarely saw that one coming.

We have a small group of vets, where I work, and we always take a minute to meet up, on Veteran's Day.

[sarge43]

9. Yeah, love when some member of the 101th Squawking C Hawks

starts the 'your a girl; what da you know about da military'. "See that (point to the Retired on the ID). How many boot heels did you wear out, killer?"

[maxrandb]

33. Let me see your War Face!

I need to ask some of our older Marines. How accurate was the Boot Camp section of Full Metal Jacket?

I'm Navy, so Boot Camp was pretty much Summer Camp :rofl:

[sarge43]

41. So was AF boot, but it is relative.

I still remember piling off the bus at 0200hrs. Dark as Hell's basement, one dim light in the distance and this no neck monster informing us in so many words we were in for a life altering experience. Felt like Wiley Coyote when he held up the sign just before the rock pile fell him, "What in heaven's name have I done?"

[maxrandb]

45. Yeah

I had a Steelworker First Class with no neck calling me everything but a human being. It is an experience that everyone should have.

[sarge43]

48. It does make you focus on the essentials. n/t

[Demonaut]

2. USS Constellation CV 64

Shellback

[maxrandb]

8. Let me see your card "Wog": LOL

[Demonaut]

83. yeah, not much fun being on the receiving end of those whips made from fire hose

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. USS America CV-66 - Shellback

Strange to think She sleeps with the fishes...

[Demonaut]

55. sad but my old boat is due to be razor blades

[cherokeeprogressive]

61. I sailed on the Connie for two days in '88

I was with VA-128 out of Whidbey Island, WA. We were going out for CarQuals. Before we even got past the Coronado Bridge there was a JP-5 fire. In two days we must have gone to GQ about 20 times. Here's what Wiki says about it:

"On the morning of 2 August 1988 Connie quietly slipped her moorings for a routine two week carrier qualification off the coast of southern California. Things quickly turned out to be anything but routine. The ship had barely cleared the harbor when a JP-5 fuel leak in the uptakes rained down on the One Main Machinery Room and erupted into a full blown conflagration that tore through the uptakes and spread throughout the ship. The Oil King and Oil Lab were blamed early. One Main Top Watch (a Machinist Mate) said JP-5, jet fuel, as he exited the space.Explosions rocked the ship and the crew went into General Quarters. Amid explosions and extreme heat, volunteers from the crew entered enclosed spaces to extinguish the fires and preserve the ship. Through the selfless service of her crew, Connie's main fires were extinguished around 21:00 hours at which time Marines from the Marine Detachment served hot dogs to the exhausted crew in the hangar bay. To the crew's horror, the fires reflashed and the crew went back into action. Into the next day, the crew battled the blaze that had reflashed and continued to threaten the entire ship. Connie pulled back into North Island on 3 August."

When we finally got back to the pier, we took our stuff off of the Connie and carried it down to the Ranger, and went back out.

[Demonaut]

81. wow, crazy fire...biggest fear while on a ship

I left her in 85', I was on board for Reagans visit, I guess that was slow match that's still burning

[Mugu]

23. Also a Trusty Shellback

from USS Constellation (78-79.)

[maxrandb]

26. Crossed the line

on USS IOWA

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. What's it like when those Big Guns go off?

[maxrandb]

63. Pretty darn impressive

I was on the 05 Level trying to take a picture when they fired a Broadside and got knocked on my a$$. Remarkably, the 5-inch guns were louder.

We never had to dust the overhead. One time, I was sitting on the shitter in the main deck head and they fired Turret 3. The toilet paper roll started spinning on it's own. Folks used to think that it would move the ship sideways, but at 47,000 tons, it would take more than that to move it. We used to shake and shimmy whey they fired 'em though.

Neat story about the survivability of the Battleships. During the battle of Leyte Gulf, a Japanese 5 inch shell hit the side of Turret 2. To this day, there is a small indentation in the Turret where the shell hit, but that was all the damage that was done.

[Mugu]

89. A big thank you to the kind person that bought a star for me.

I promise to pass along the good fortune to another soul less fortunate than myself and then ask them to do the same.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

[mailman82]

3. Retired Marine!

Viet Nam 67 &68 Second Battalion Third Marines! OOOOORAAAAAH!

[maxrandb]

11. Much respect to the

Sea Going Bellhop.

Semper Fi!

Folks that have never served won't understand that you can call me a "Squid", and I can call you a "GI-Rine", but we'll happily buy each other a beer and call each other shipmate.

[Siwsan]

18. My Dad was a Marine

Dad was in President Truman's Honor Guard. He used to tease me about being a Swabbie. I loved being a Father/Daughter veteran combo. It gave us a really special connection.

[maxrandb]

24. Swabbie is a term I haven't heard in years

You made me smile!

[county worker]

4. US Army 1966 to 1968 Vietnam vet

[sarge43]

5. "Give us a country that the military will be proud to serve"

Well said, sir, well said.

Air Force, 21 years, MSgt. Fifth generation (that I'm sure of) to serve. Raised by FDR Democrats and bred true.

Husband also career AF noncom

Keep 'em flying

[cliffordu]

6. I'm here!!

:patriot:

[lamp_shade]

7. So glad you started this year's thread. I'm not a vet but

I am a patriot and I LOVE reading all the responses. Thank you.

[AsahinaKimi]

10. Not a vet however...

My saturdays are spent with Vets at Fort Miley, VA Hosptial in San Francsico as a volunteer. My duties depend on what the staff needs me to do. I will even run and get a tray of coffee for those guys who are in bed, who need one! I salute you guys! :patriot:

[sarge43]

12. Thank you AsahinaKimi. You walk the walk

Backatcha :patriot:

[AsahinaKimi]

14. ^^ Cream? Sugar? Splenda?

How about a cookie!! Thanks for your kind words!

[maxrandb]

17. No!

We Salute you!

You are doing just as much, if not more, to protect and defend our country than alot of us in uniform have.

That's just the way I see it. The teacher, the firefighter, the factory worker, the hard working Middle Class blue collar American doing right by his neighbor, his community and his family are true heroes. We just get to wear a funny looking uniform.

[sarge43]

25. Second that

There are many ways to serve.

[AsahinaKimi]

46. Once I tried to bring in my own cookies

to give away to the Vets, but the nurses told me no. So I went up to see the chaplin and he said, give them to me, I will make sure they get passed out. He was a cool guy.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. I'm a veteran. But, not a patriot.

USMC '61-'65.

[maxrandb]

21. You're only not a Patriot

if you buy into the "Wingnuts" definition of patriot.

Funny, but my definition of "patriot" is much different than Hannity or Limbaugh's definition...AND I refuse to surrender that definition to the likes of those asshats!

[JohnnyLib2]

16. Army, 1969-74.

Always in the states. Saw many young people changed forever.

[Rick Myers]

19. USAF, Alaska 75-79

A big salute to all veterans and their families!!!

[Lunabelle]

20. I'm not a Vet, but my "not wife" is.

Sha actually got kicked out of the navy in 1975 for being gay. She and her lawyers argued that she wan't gay before she went in the navy. She got an honorable discharge and that really comes in handy to pay for all her medical expenses.

[maxrandb]

28. We are finally coming around

to sanity.

Folks that criticize this President for not being "progressive" enough, must not realize how much political courage repealing DADT required.

This is not meant to be an overly politcal thread, but damn! That took guts!

Now if we can just get rid of DOMA, we'll be truly making progress.

[kentuck]

22. Here.

Seems like another lifetime...

[JimWis]

27. US Navy - Vietnam 67-68, Thanks to all fellow veterans.

[maxrandb]

35. Served with a BMCM

when I was just starting out in 1984. He did back to back tours with the Riverine Force in Vietnam. Great Man! I think they called themselves the Game Wardens.

[Jackpine Radical]

29. 2/5 Cav. 1st Cav Div

VN '67-68 Infantry.

Antiwar movement '68-present

[deucemagnet]

30. USAF 1986-1991

I'd like to remind all of my fellow DU vets that there are quite a few restaurant chains offering freebies tomorrow.

http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/

I'll be heading out with my DD-214 to enjoy a freebie tomorrow. I suggest you do the same. You've earned it!

[deucemagnet]

98. Thank you do the anonymous DUer who bought me a star!

I haven't been very active on DU over the past few years, but perhaps I should begin donating again now that I visit more regularly. Thanks!

[Wait Wut]

31. Proud Marine Mom...here!

:patriot:

Thank you to you all!!!

Happy Veteran's Day and a huge thanks to you, MAX!

[SoDesuKa]

32. Vet With an Attitude

I don't want a free meal at Applebee's or - God forbid - Hooters. I'm holding out for a free car. And when you open up the glove compartment, there's a generic apology. I think the apology might just do it. I definitely don't want crumbs of so-called "gratitude."

[maxrandb]

36. How about our nation

just keep the promises it made.

[SoDesuKa]

54. 18 Vets A Day Commit Suicide

Maybe the numbers have gone down since they peaked at 18 a day, but we need to re-evaluate America's relationship with its veterans. That number does not include guys who are so reckless with their lives that their decisions reflect a death wish.

The gap between what civilians think war is about and what veterans know it's about may be responsible for the belief that a free meal on Veteran's Day is "giving back" to the veteran.

[nadinbrzezinski]

68. Yup, there is that

free meal, shmeal... we want that social compact to be respected and for vets to get the care they need.

At the local occupy we have a slew of them. And a few of them are still there. And I know you will know exactly what I mean.

[great white snark]

43. Same here!

Abrasive, biased, liberal Democrat vet and damn proud of it.

:patriot:

[SoDesuKa]

58. Free Car

I wouldn't care if the free car they give me is a beat up old Chevy. It's the principle of the thing. As for the apology, I'm not holding my breath.



Welcome Home, Vet. Here's your wheels.

[onethatcares]

34. USARAL

72-75 Regular Army. Morning Report Clerk. SP4 76B

[maxrandb]

37. OK

Enlighten me, because I hear it all the time, so what do you mean by "Regular Army"? Is there an "Irregular Army"?

Or is that inside info that you could tell me, but then have to kill me?

[onethatcares]

39. no, In 1972 draftees were labeled U.S

I signed up in a burst of patriotic fervor that lasted about 8 weeks, I was labeled Regular Army as opposed to the draftees.

[maxrandb]

42. Learn something new every day

thanks!

[SoDesuKa]

51. Three-Year Enlistment

Nearly all of the RA's I knew were sorry they didn't just wait to be drafted. As the years go by, however, guys get misty-eyed about their years in the Army. Not me!

[Brother Buzz]

62. In 1972 draftees were labeled AUS

Army of the United States (AUS). I know, I was drafted in 1972.

Earlier, draftees were labeled simply US. I don't know why they added the "A".

[salin]

38. Observance for those who have served...

my brother and sister-in-law, and my late father who served in the Pacific arena in WWII.

[Bandit]

40. Bravo company 2nd of the 12th Cav

Took a burst of three and went into aviation as a door gunner for Charley Co 227th 1st Air Cav Two tours in the Nam

[DevonRex]

44. Army 98G2LRU.

Most of you will know what that means. Oh, and keep your M16 away from the sand. :patriot:

[SoDesuKa]

52. I'm Mystified

I have no idea what that means.

[DevonRex]

53. It's my MOS.

Russian linguist. Which is why I don't provide dates or places of service, except that obviously I went to DLI.

:hi:

[1776Forever]

47. I am the Mom to 3 Veterans and a wife to a Vietnam Veteran. We are the ones along with the Dad's

and other friends and family who pray for our sons and daughters save return. We fight for better Rights for the Troops and write and send packages to let them to let them know we love them more then they will ever know. God Bless our Troops and their Families!

[tinymontgomery]

49. USN 80-2003

Fellow Mustang here. Chief's initiation in 89, LDO Deck Officer in 92.

[maxrandb]

66. Hi Bos'n!

Initiated in 1995. LDO in 2000.

How long have you been in the Navy?

"All me blooming life sir......"

CPO Initiation was a blast.

[tinymontgomery]

106. Haven't been called Bos'n in a long time

1st tour as the Bos'n was USS Pensacola, what an I opener. I remember LDO standing for Loud Dumb and Obnoxious.

[maxrandb]

107. The CPO's

call us "quitters" LOL

[tinymontgomery]

109. Well if I ever cared what

anyone said I wouldn't have retired as a LCDR with a nice check that is about double an E-7's. I also liked having my own stateroom (privacy) and a total different type of responsibility. The one's that say we're quitters just don't get it and never will, their self absorbed in thinking they made it and everybody should just be like them. I wanted more, I got more, life is good. You a Deck guy?

[maxrandb]

111. No, 6410

A "titless Wave"

Same here. Loved my time as a Chief, but wanted more. I reach mandatory retirement before I'm in-zone for O5, so I too will retire as a LCDR.

[tinymontgomery]

113. I put my papers in

when I got back from an unaccompanied tour in Korea which I took right after my department head tour. I was back about 6 months and they wanted me to take a 1st position on a carrier in Japan. Detailer got nasty when I said no so I said it is time we parted ways since we can't meet either ones needs. Had a blast though while I was in. 6 ships, a tour with the Seabees (amphib types), SBU-20 and Korea total of 14 years sea time.

To bad you won't get a chance at 05.

[Cid_B]

50. Still serving....

... Good times all around...

[LiberalLoner]

56. Was an Army officer, out now, married to another Army officer, was an Army brat too. Happy

Veterans Day to all my fellow veterans!

[flying rabbit]

57. US Army for most of the 90's

:patriot:

[alfredo]

59. Army. Army Security Agency 05H20. 4 years and out.

I was up for E-6, but I wasn't going to stay in, so I felt someone who wanted a career should be considered.

[DevonRex]

70. Another sigint person!

:hi:

[alfredo]

72. When they said we were in the top 10% in the army,

I fell into a deep depression.

[DevonRex]

73. Hahaha.

And it was true!

[alfredo]

75. We were a bunch of knuckle heads.

We excelled at drinking and VD. Many of us have lost hearing because of years sitting at that R-390a. At times that's a blessing.

[maxrandb]

108. As a Navy "Mustang" Officer

(i.e., prior enlisted who got commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer program), they say we are in the top 1% of the Navy.

That's "fricking" scary

[pinboy3niner]

112. Friggin' 1%er!

:rofl:

I was drafted into the Army at 18, did Basic, Leadership School, Advanced Infantry Training, and then helped train troops at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Benning before getting an Infantry OCS class.

After 6 months of OCS the Army made me a 2nd Lt. at 19, promoted me to 1st Lt. at 20, and sent me off to VN.

In the Army, you had to have 1 year of enlisted service to be eligible for the Good Conduct Medal. Because of the delays in getting to OCS, I got the medal. Little did they know...:evilgrin:

Of course, in those days Infantry LT's were a dime a dozen--so I can proudly say that I wasn't in the 1%. :)

I don't qualify as a 'mustang,' but I salute those who came up the hard way. :patriot:

[alfredo]

122. A night of drinking and whoring around with the 1% or10%

makes you question the category you are topping.

[maxrandb]

124. Well

It's "Topping from Below".

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. Wife of a USN Chief Retired

and served somewhere else. Yes it matters that we recognize service.

[nadinbrzezinski]

65. damn DU burp

**^^()T)(&)

[maxrandb]

67. Once a Chief, Always a Chief!

[nadinbrzezinski]

69. Yup I am proud of him

and he is of me And I played havoc with his security clearance.

[nadinbrzezinski]

74. self delete

[RushIsRot]

71. U.S. Army -- 1963-1966

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

76. Navy, '67-'70

[lpbk2713]

77. USN 65 - 69

I was just watching the Viet Nam War in HD on the History Channel. I remember.

The travelling wall has been to my community a few times. I haven't got up the
nerve yet to go pay my respects but hopefully one of these days.

[moondust]

78. Army six years.

[pinboy3niner]

79. Army Infantry '67-'71

Captain, AUS, Ret.

[girl_interrupted]

80. This is for all Vets:

And especially my dad and all my other family members who have served and some who are still serving and of course for those on DU

[maxrandb]

92. I think the reference to the 11th Hour

comes from the beautiful Easter Sermon of St John Chrysostom

[sarge43]

104. The WWI cease fire was called at 11am, 11 Nov 1918

The poppy symbolism come from the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrea

[mfcorey1]

82. Checking in for my brothers who served in the United States Marines and The UNited States Navy.

[Elwood P Dowd]

84. US Army 1970-1972.

Draftee that got lucky and spent the two years in the States.

[dgibby]

85. US Navy Nurse,

1969-1991, dad and brothers served in Nat.Guard and Army, g.nephew is an Army Ranger.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

91. Navy Corpsman - 1969 -19 73

Bethesda

Camp LeJeune

[Aristus]

86. M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanker, U.S. Army, 1986-1993.

Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen, Germany, 1989-1991.
Operation Desert Shield, Bremerhaven, Germany, September-December, 1990.
Operation Desert Storm, King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia, February-March, 1991.
Fort Knox, Kentucky, 1991-1993.

Happy Veterans Day, everybody. :patriot:

And kiss my camo ass, right-wingers! A veteran and a liberal till I DIE, motherfuckers! B-)

[Suich]

87. Since it is now officially Veteran's Day in Seattle, at least,

I'll give this a kick for the night owls.

:kick:

[dmosh42]

88. USN 60-66

[Sirveri]

90. USN SSN EM01. and FTN. out in '08.

Never again volunteer yourself.

[maxrandb]

93. Used to say

The Navy is not the best screw I've ever had, but it sure is the longest!

And I LOVE the Navy. Oh well, "a bitchin' Sailor is a happy Sailor"

[Sirveri]

95. You sir, are what we called a diggit. But that's cool, I like diggits.

It's the dirtbags who like to drag everyone and everything around them down that pissed me off. At least you guys were upbeat (why I have no idea).

[maxrandb]

110. I think it's because I'm prior enlisted

and did my time holy-stoning teak wood decks and using deck grinders and needle-guns. You never forget where you came from. I had some great LPO's and LCPO's and DIVO's that took care of me, and I tried to do the same as I advanced up the ranks.

It wasn't all "sweetness and light", but I earned an honest days pay for an honests days work, and I've touched every continent in the world.

If my first experience had been working for assholes, I'd probably have done my 4 years and gotten out, but I was lucky.

I've never met anyone who hasn't had good days and bad days at work...My good days outnumbered my bad, so I stuck around.

[Sirveri]

117. I heard a lot about good versus bad days. Every day in the shipyard is a bad day.

It's like an exercise in frustration, and of course my boat was in the yards for a major overhaul, and because they wanted more money they kept the boat long. Like 6 months long. Makes me wonder what the daily cost for dry dock of a nuclear powered sub cost.

[pinboy3niner]

120. The saying goes, "Every day above ground is a good day"

I was Army, so I'll take your word about shipyards.

But, after Vietnam, I never expected to reach 30. It's what psychologists call a sense of a 'foreshortened future'--something that, they report, is common among trauma survivors.

Hell, after all these years, it's hard to believe I'm still here. But here we are--and isn't it exciting to be alive in these times?

From the Army to the Navy: :patriot:

[MrScorpio]

94. Retired USAF Tech Sgt here

Have a good Vets Day!

[CRK7376]

96. E1-E5 to O6

and still Active for 2 more years. Then retirement with 36 years of service. Lifelong Democrat and proud of it!

[cherish44]

97. Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you for your service! Shout out to my dad, US Navy 1957-1963, and lifelong Democrat

[era veteran]

99. Ended up as a tank commander in the Fulda Gap.

Was going to get drafted, joined instead, went to Germany, stationed at The Rock, Ayers Kaserne, 1st Brigade 3rd Armored Division. Got to be on the border in Nixxxon's Def-Con 3 in '73. Ended up teaching gunnery at Ft Knox and got out as an E-6 SSG. 4 years and 3 months was enough.
Born in the Army in the last vestige of American Imperialism, Panama Canal Zone at Fort Clayton now, Ciudad del Saber.
My father in the Horse Cavalry at Ft Riley when Pearl Harbor attacked fought from N Africa through the Hurtgen Forest to Korea and the Yalu. My thanks and respect go out to him as well as my cousin John Delano both passed, as well as my mentor at the Rock MSG "Dragon", a Striker in Vietnam.
Bring the Boys home.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
2 Days and a duffel bag drag, leaving The Rock August 1973, I am on the right. Fun Travel and Adventure

[Douglas Carpenter]

100. USAF 73-77 (Weisbaden and Kaiserslautern Germany 74-77)

[Major Hogwash]

101. May this be the last one we have with so many of our men over in Iraq and Afghanistan!!

And women troops, as well.
I wish I was serving in the Marine Corps today with a President like Barack Obama in the White House.
I wish I was serving today with men and women who no longer have to worry about DADT anymore.

[pinboy3niner]

102. Amen

Two months ago I joined the families, local high school students, and some fellow VN vets in seeing off a local Army National Guard transportation unit headed to Afghanistan.

I've just learned that one of those troops we saw off was killed in the Rhino bus attack 13 days ago in Kabul.

Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, was 29 years old.



R.I.P. :patriot:

[sarge43]

103. So say we all. n/t

[rocktivity]

105. US Army Recuriting Command, Madison Avenue Division

Was part of the creative team that did the Army's "Be All You Can Be" campaign. Rose through the ranks from secretary to copywriter. Wrote small space ads and radio spots, mostly. Visited Forts Campbell and Lewis, but, ironically, never the USAREC headquarters at Ft. Sheridan IL.

:patriot:
rocktivity

[yewberry]

114. Not a vet, but did 2 yrs national service.

Americorps.

Two years teaching K-12 ELL and refugee kids in local Title 1 schools, begging for money from government, non-profit & corporate entities, setting up English-language literacy events in multi-lingual communities, and doing what we could to fight against poverty and racial, economic & gender bias.

My grandma, a WAC, always begged me to go into the armed forces; my grandpa, a WWII POW, always begged me not to.

My service doesn't hold a candle to our Veterans' service, but please know that those of us who chose a different path honor you.
:patriot:

[RegieRocker]

115. 82nd Airborne Signal Corp Spec 4

[haele]

116. USN-USNR, 1977 - 1998 (Retired)

1977 - 1979 - RTC/NTC(BEE)Orlando, FL/Service School Command, Mare Island, CA (NTDS/E-4)
1979 - 1983 - USS NORTON SOUND (AVM-1) (NTDS/Aegis - E-5)
1983 - 1988 - FCTCP, San Diego (Eve Shift NTDS/CDS Maintenance Supervisor - E-6)
1988 - 1992- NAVMASSODETPAC (USNR- E-6)
1992 - 1998- PHDNSWC - (USNR - Aegis Combat Systems Engineer/Installation)
1993 - Navy Chief Petty Officer!

Haele

[rppper]

118. cold war submariner here....

USS James K. Polk SSBN645(g)
USS Billfish SSN 676
USS Woodrow Wilson SSN 624
USS Hunley AS-31
USS Tucson SSN 770

1988-1997

i'm always taken aback when people thank me for my service...i always saw it as supporting a family and that it was my job...it took me many years to figure out there was so much more to it. today i come across many WW2 vets in my line of work, soldiers and sailors who fought on every front from guadalcanal to okinawa, from north africa to Normandy...i am always awed by the sacrifice and stories they tell me. we have always had a generation in my family who is serving....i currently have a nephew in afghanistan serving as a corpsman and a niece serving back home...my brothers served, my father was a green beret who served in Korea and Vietnam. god bless all of my brothers in arms....

[maxrandb]

121. I feel the same way

I get a little ill when someone thanks me for my service. What really irks me though is the wingnuts who think that just because I wear the uniform, I must be a "wingnut" too.

I've had guys I've served with, who have known me and know how dedicated I am call me a "socialist" becuase I don't think the way they do politically.

Actually had some Rush Limbaugh infected old friend from back home (who never served BTW), say I was "anti-American"???

Had a great Marine friend who said one time; "If Rush Limbaugh were within reach, I'd rip his tits off"

[pinboy3niner]

119. You know, 'patriot' has gotten a bad name among us...

...because the RW has been appropriating that term for so long.

But we Liberal vets don't shy away from that word. To us it means the oath we swore--not to a President, or to a policy, but to the Constitution.

And, to us, there is no time limit on our oath. Liberals shouldn't disparage patriotism--we understand the true meaning of the word.

[CatWoman]

123. nother vet checking in

thanks Rocktivity :hi:

[Release The Hounds]

125. Army 1992-97